Modular jewelry set

ABSTRACT

A modular jewelry set capable of forming a variety of assemblies using some or all components includes a group of core components each having at least one manually actuable clasping mechanism on each end, at least one connector ring adapted to be engaged by more than one clasping mechanism at a time, and, preferably, at least one strand of which at least a portion of its length is elastic. One or more of each core component can be joined to the other either end-to-end or in parallel, using one or more rings to accept the clasps at the ends of the components thereby forming an assembly. The resulting jewelry assembly has many uses including but not limited to hair dressing and clothing accessorizing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to jewelry sets and, more particularly, to modular jewelry sets that can be configured using different components to create a variety of custom sets for wearing in the hair, wearing as bracelets for the wrist and ankle, wearing as necklaces, wearing as belts, wearing as a hat band, wearing as a bag-strap, and wearing in other manners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing jewelry comes in a very large variety of configurations. A relatively limited amount of jewelry comes in sets having multiple components that are convertible to different types of jewelry. Known convertible jewelry sets typically comprise of no more than interchanging a facade on a watch or watchband, adding and removing a gemstone to and from an earring, combining a ring with a matching band for wearing on the same finger, or adding and removing one or more charms to and from a necklace or a bracelet.

No known jewelry sets exist in which a single kit using the same basic components can be configured in a substantially large number of different configurations.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile, multi-configuration jewelry set having more different modes than existing jewelry sets.

These objects, as well as others, are achieved by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects by utilizing a a group of core components comprising at least one manually actuable clasping mechanism on each end of each strand, at least one connector ring adapted to be engaged by more than one clasping mechanism at a time, and, preferably, at least one strand of which at least a portion of its length is elastic. One or more of each core component can be joined to the other either end-to-end or in parallel, using one or more rings to accept the clasps at the ends of the components thereby forming an assembly. The resulting jewelry assembly has many uses, as described below, including but not limited to hair dressing and clothing accessorizing. Utilizing the elastic component gives the assembly stretch ability so it can be used, for example, as a hair or ponytail retention device, or as a slip-on bracelet that, when not stretched, will not slide back over the hand. The components can have a variety of styles and configurations including, but not limited to: beads of metal, glass, gemstones and other materials; ribbons or other ornamental fabrics; links such as chain links; combinations of the foregoing; and other pieces known to those in the art for jewelry alone or in combination with the foregoing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembly according to the present invention wrapped around a user's hair.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an assembly according to the present invention wrapped around a user's hair.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the assembly according to FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is an assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 4A wrapped around a user's hair.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a partial, perspective view of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of components of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention worn in a user's hair.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of components of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While certain embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein as preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. For example, an assembly according to the present invention can be configured selectively to be suitable as a hair ornament or hair retention device, as a necklace, as a bracelet, as a belt loop, as a belt, as an anklet, as a strap or decorative accessory for a purse or bag, as a decorative accessory for footwear such as a boot or for headwear such as a hat, or as a decorative accessory for clothing such as a jacket or a pair of jeans. These are examples and there are many other possibilities. The jewelry described with respect to the present invention includes, but is not limited to, such materials as metals, gemstones, glass, fabrics, and plastics.

Referring to FIG. 1, a jewelry assembly (10) according to the present invention comprises a chain link section (12) comprising individual links (14) of the type known to those skilled in the art, and a clasp (16) at each end of the type known to those skilled in the art. An example of the type of clasp that could be used for the clasp (16) in FIG. 1, is the “lobster” style clasp (56) shown in FIG. 5. The assembly (10) of FIG. 1 further comprises a two rings (82) of the type shown in FIG. 8, to which the clasps (16) are attached. The assembly (10) further comprises an elastic beaded section (70) of the type shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. The elastic beaded section (70) comprises individual beads (72) strung over an elastic cord (74) as well as end clasps (76).

In use, an assembly (10) like that shown in FIG. 1 can be wound repetitively around a section of hair in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, the ponytail holding configuration (20) of FIG. 1. By using different lengths of a chain link section and an elastic section, or multiple sections of either, a longer assembly can be constructed and worn in various configurations requiring more length, such as, for example, the hair band and ponytail configuration (30) of FIGS. 3A-3B.

For these assemblies and any other assembly described herein with respect to the present invention, any one of a variety of sections can be used from among chain link (12), non-elastic beads (50), ribbon and bead combinations (60), ribbon (112), a simple cord of leather or fabric (not shown), shells (not shown), gem stones (not shown) and any other known jewelry configuration for forming a flexible length. Similarly, the elastic sections can be configured the same, but using an elastic cord to connect the various elements.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, using a single elastic member (42) with a single ring (82) results in a shorter length, elastic close loop assembly (40) which is particularly suitable for a ponytail holder (44) or a bracelet (40).

Referring to FIG. 6, a ribbon and bead combination section (60) is formed by two end clasps (62), a plurality of beads (64), and a plurality of ribbon sections (66) joined into a single length.

FIG. 9 is an example of an assembly (90) according to the present invention that is suitable for use as either a necklace or as a hair band (100) such as that shown in FIG. 10. The assembly (90) comprises an elastic beaded section (70), a ribbon and bead section (60), a non-elastic beaded section (50), and two rings (82). Another assembly (110) shown in FIG. 11 is also suitable for use as a hair band and comprises a ribbon section (112), two rings (82), a non-elastic beaded section (50), and a ribbon and bead section (60). The ribbon section (112) is tied in a bow (114) as shown and, thus, provides adjustability thereby alleviating the need for an elastic section.

FIG. 12 is an example of an attachment accessory ribbon (120) having a clasp (122) on only one end thereof, so that it may be selectively clasped to any assembly according to the present invention in a manner in which one end (i.e., the non-clasp end) may hand freely for aesthetic effects.

The foregoing examples are preferred embodiments demonstrating the common features of an assembly according to the present invention, those common features being: at least one elastic member; a plurality of non-elastic members, linking means to selectively connect and disconnect some or all of the members to create a variety of configurations from the kit. Assemblies made according to the present invention are not limited to any particular uses and may be used for, by way of example, anklets, belts, bag or purse straps, etc. to accessorize hair or clothing.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been herein described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1) A modular, ornamental assembly for wearing in hair, on the body, or on clothing comprising at least one non-elastic member having a clasp at each end; at least one variable length member having a clasp at each end; and at least two rings, each being adapted to be selectively attached to a clasp from each member, respectively, at the same time, such that said assembly forms a closed loop. 2) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said non-elastic member comprises a chain made of links. 3) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said non-elastic member comprises a group of beads strung over a cord. 4) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said non-elastic member comprises a plurality of ribbon sections in combination with beads forming a single length. 5) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said variable length member is an elastic member. 6) An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said elastic member comprises at least one section of an elastic cord about which non-elastic beads are strung. 7) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said variable length member comprises a ribbon made of two pieces adapted to be tied together at any one of a variety of selected positions along either piece of ribbon in order to selectively determine the resultant length of the member once the two ribbon pieces are tied together. 